Blackberry plant named ‘APF-205T’

ABSTRACT

Description and specifications of a new and distinct blackberry cultivar named ‘APF-205T’ which originated from seed produced by a hand-pollinated cross of Arkansas selections ‘APF-77’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,249) x ‘APF-49T’ (non-patented, unreleased genotype) is provided. This new blackberry cultivar can be distinguished by its large fruit with consistent size and sweet flavor, thornless canes with consistently good plant health, and primocane-fruiting habit.

Latin name: Rubus subgenus Rubus Watson.

Varietal denomination: ‘APF-205T’.

BACKGROUND

The new primocane-fruiting blackberry cultivar called ‘APF-205T’ isdescribed herein. The new cultivar originated from a hand-pollinatedcross of Arkansas selections ‘APF-77’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 24,249) x‘APF-49T’ (non-patented, unreleased genotype) made in 2005. The seedsresulting from this controlled hybridization were germinated in agreenhouse in the spring of 2006 and planted in a field nearClarksville, Ark. (West-Central Arkansas). The seedlings fruited in thesummer of 2008 and one seedling, designated ‘APF-205T’, was selected. Itwas selected for its large fruit with consistent size and sweet flavor,thornless canes with consistently good plant health, andprimocane-fruiting habit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct cultivar of blackberry originated from ahand-pollinated cross of Arkansas selections ‘APF-77’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 24,249) x ‘APF-49T’ (non-patented, unreleased genotype) made in 2005and located near Clarksville, Ark. (West-Central Arkansas). Thebotanical designation of the new cultivar of blackberry is Rubus L.subgenus Rubus Watson. The seeds resulting from this controlledhybridization were germinated in a greenhouse in the winter to earlyspring of 2006 and planted in a field near Clarksville, Ark. Theseedlings fruited in the summer of 2008 on floricanes and one seedling,designated ‘APF-205T’, was selected for its large fruit with consistentsize and sweet flavor, thornless canes with consistently good planthealth, and primocane-fruiting habit.

During 2008, the original plant selection was propagated asexually fromroot cuttings at the above-noted location, and a test row of 30 plantswas established.

The new cultivar has been asexually multiplied since 2008 by the use ofroot cuttings, by rooting adventitious shoots from root cuttings andtissue culture. It forms new shoots from adventitious buds on rootcuttings readily. During all asexual multiplication, the characteristicsof the original plant have been maintained and no aberrant phenotypeshave appeared. The cultivar differs from most blackberry cultivars whichare floricane fruiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show typical specimens of the new varietyin color as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make in a colorillustration of this character. The plants shown in the figures are allthree years of age.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of fruits of ‘APF-205T’ borne on a floricane inmid-June, near Clarksville, Ark.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of primocane flowers and flower buds, nearClarksville, Ark. of ‘APF-205T’.

FIG. 3 is a photograph of fruit of ‘APF-205T’ produced on a primocane inlate July, near Clarksville, Ark.

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing the abaxial (lower) and adaxial (upper)sides of floricane leaves, near Clarksville, Ark. of ‘APF-205T’.

FIG. 5 is a photograph showing the abaxial (lower) and adaxial (upper)sides of primocane leaves, near Clarksville, Ark. of ‘APF-205T’.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR ‘APF-205T’

Plants and fruit of this new cultivar differ phenotypically from itsparents. The new cultivar has larger fruit and thornless canes comparedto its female parent ‘APF-77’. The new cultivar is more productive andhas larger fruit than male parent ‘APF-49T’. Although blackberries(Rubus L. subgenus Rubus Watson) are highly heterogeneous andoutcrossing, and most clones contain genes from more than one species,the new cultivar and its progenitor lines phenotypically exhibitcharacters predominately of the erect eastern United States species,Rubus allegheniensis Porter (highbush blackberry).

Plants of the new cultivar are vigorous and prolific and rowestablishment following planting is rapid. Both primocanes andfloricanes are erect in growth habit. The canes are best managed iftrained to a hedgerow and a trellis with supporting wires used toprevent canes from falling over due to wind or heavy fruit loads. Theplants are thornless. Plants and fruit are moderately resistant toanthracnose (Elsinoe veneta (Burkh.) Jenkins), and plants have shown noevidence of susceptibility to orange rust (Gymnoconia nitens (Schwein.)F. Kern and H. W. Thurston). No screening has been done for resistanceto double blossom/rosette (Cercosporella rubi (Wint.) Plakidas).

The floricane bloom period of the new cultivar begins on 16 April,compared to 1 April for ‘APF-77’. Primocane bloom period begins 18 Junecompared to 10 June for ‘APF-77’. Floricane fruit of the new cultivarhas a harvest period of 36 days. Primocane first ripe fruit date was 18July on tipped primocanes and whereas ‘APF-77’ is 15 July. Primocanefruit harvest can be dependent on environmental conditions, mostimportantly temperatures being below 32° C. (90° F.) to allow fruiting.

Fruit yields of the new cultivar on floricanes are usually 5.4 kg/plant(12.1 lb/plant) if the floricanes are retained for fruiting, compared to3.5 kg/plant (7.7 lb) for ‘APF-77’ in West-Central Arkansas. Fruityields of the cultivar on primocanes in West-Central Arkansas average0.8 kg/plant (1.8 lb/plant) compared to 0.6 kg (1.3 lb/plant) for‘APF-77’.

The fruit shape is ovate, bright glossy black in color, and veryattractive. The floricane fruit is large (7.1 g) while ‘APF-77’ averaged6.5 g. Primocane fruit in West-Central Arkansas of the new cultivaraveraged 9.2 g/berry. The berries have a very soft inner core ortorus/receptacle, which provides for a very melting texture. The dryseed weight of floricane fruit for the new cultivar averaged 2.9mg/seed, smaller than for ‘APF-45’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,449) (4.5mg), ‘Natchez’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,891) (4.2 mg), and ‘Ouachita’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 17,162) (4.5 mg).

The fresh fruit rates very good in flavor, comparable to comparisoncultivars. The soluble solids concentration averages 11.4% on shinyblack fruit harvested from floricanes and is the same for primocanefruit (11.4%).

Primocane fruit and flowers are borne on the cane terminus or on lateralbranches if primocanes are tipped, and fruiting continues down theprimocane during the season. Canes usually attain a length of 1.5 to 1.8m (4-5 ft) prior to the appearance of flower buds. The number of nodesdown the cane that develop flowers is largely dependent on the lengthand conditions of the late summer to fall growing period.

The following is a detailed description of the botanical and pomologicalcharacteristics of the subject blackberry. Color data are presented inRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart designations (1986 2ndedition). Where dimensions, sizes, colors, and other characteristics aregiven, it is to be understood that such characteristics areapproximations of averages set forth as accurately as practicable.

Plants used for botanical data were three years old and grown on a finesandy loam soil with trickle irrigation near Clarksville, Ark. Theplants were fertilized near budbreak (late March on average) withcomplete or nitrogen fertilizer, and had an additional nitrogenfertilizer application in early July. Primocanes were tipped atapproximately 1.14 m (45 inches), and grown in a hedgerow trainingsystem. Weeds were controlled with pre- and post-emergence herbicidessupplemented with mechanical weed control activities. A singleapplication of liquid lime sulfur was applied to the plants at budbreak,but no other fungicides were used. The descriptions reported herein arefrom specimens grown near Clarksville, Ark.

-   Plant:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Plants are grown in a hedgerow and primocanes            tipped at approx. 114 cm; plants in this system range in            size from approx. 135-140 cm tall and 91-102 cm wide.        -   Growth habit.—Moderate vigor, canes erect; suckers primarily            from the crown.        -   Growth rate.—First emergence of primocanes is 19 April and            primocanes reach tipping height (114 cm) approximately 16            June.-   Productivity:    -   -   Floricane.—5.4 kg/plant (12.1 lb).        -   Primocane.—0.8 kg/plant (1.8 lb).        -   Cold hardiness.—Hardy to −13-−15° C. (4-8° F.) and possibly            lower.        -   Canes.—Thornless, erect.-   Floricane (dormant or winter cane):    -   -   Cane diameter.—Base: 1.80 cm; midpoint: 0.68 cm; terminal:            0.34 cm.        -   Internode length.—Base: 3.58 cm; midpoint: 3.34 cm;            terminal: 2.02 cm.        -   Floricane color.—Base: Green group (137D); midpoint: Green            group (137D); terminus: Green group (137C).-   Primocane (current-season cane):    -   -   Cane diameter.—Base: 1.82 cm; midpoint: 1.19 cm; terminal:            1.05 cm.        -   Internode length.—Base: 7.34 cm; midpoint: 4.20 cm;            terminal: 3.06 cm.        -   Primocane color.—Base: Grayed-purple group (187A); midpoint:            Yellow-green group (144A); terminus: Grayed-purple group            (183A). Anthocyanin coloration present on floricanes and            primocanes.        -   Date of primocane emergence.—19 April.        -   Lateral branching after tipping (measured at the end of            growing season).—Average number of lateral branches: 9.6;            distribution full length of cane.        -   Disease resistance.—Moderate resistance to anthracnose, and            no evidence of orange rust disease. No screening has been            done for resistance to double blossom/rosette.-   Foliage: Average date of Leaf bud burst: February 11.-   Floricane:    -   -   Leaves.—Small; mature compound leaf width 8.69 cm; length            8.99 cm.        -   Leaf shape.—Compound leaf shape palmate.        -   Glossiness.—Abaxial: dull, pubescence lightly present;            adaxial: dull, pubescence lightly present.        -   Leaflet.—Width: 3.86 cm; length: 5.52 cm; shape: ovate with            acute apex and rounded subcordate base; margin: serrated;            serration teeth length: 0.28 cm and width at base: 0.28 cm;            pubescence: very light on both sides of leaflet; pubescence            on abaxial and adaxial surfaces; number of leaflets per            compound leaf: 3.        -   Color.—Base: abaxial: Green group (137C), adaxial: Green            group (137A); midpoint: abaxial: Green group (137C),            adaxial: Green group (137A); terminal: abaxial: Green group            (137C), adaxial: Green group (137A).        -   Petioles.—Length: 2.81 cm; color: Yellow-green group (146C);            texture: moderate pubescence.        -   Petiolules.—Length: 0.93 cm; Color: Yellow-green group            (146C); texture: smooth, light pubescence.        -   Stipules.—Length: 1.19 cm; width: 0.22 cm.        -   Shape.—Overall: lanceolate; apex: acute; margin: entire            (smooth); base: truncate.        -   Texture.—Abaxial: light to moderate pubescence; adaxial:            light to moderate pubescence.        -   Color.—Abaxial: Yellow-green group (146D); adaxial:            Yellow-green group (146D).-   Primocane:    -   -   Leaves.—Medium; mature compound leaf: width: 16.64 cm;            length 17.70 cm.        -   Leaf shape.—Compound leaf shape palmate.        -   Glossiness.—Abaxial: low to dull; adaxial: moderate            pubescence.        -   Leaflet.—Width: 7.93 cm; length: 9.41 cm; shape: ovate with            acute apex and cordate base; margin: serrated; serration            tooth length: 0.19 cm; width at base: 0.25 cm; pubescence:            very light on abaxial surface, heavy on adaxial surface;            number of leaflets per compound leaf: 5.        -   Color.—Base: abaxial: Green group (137C); adaxial Green            group (137A); midpoint: abaxial: Green group (137C);            adaxial: Green group (137A); terminal: abaxial: Green group            (137C); adaxial: Green group (137A).        -   Petioles.—Length: 7.16 cm; color: Yellow-green group (146B);            texture: moderate to heavy pubescence.        -   Petiolules.—Length: 3.50 cm; color: abaxial: Purple group            (183B); adaxial: Green group (148A); texture: light            pubescence.        -   Stipules.—Length 1.48 cm; width: 0.19 cm.        -   Shape.—Overall: lanceolate; apex: acuminate; margin: entire;            base: truncate.        -   Texture.—Abaxial: light to moderate pubescence; adaxial:            light to moderate pubescence.        -   Color.—Abaxial: Purple group (185B), Green group (147C);            adaxial: Purple group (185B), Green group (147C).-   Flowers:-   Floricane:    -   -   Date of first bloom.—6 April.        -   Petal color.—Abaxial: White group (155D); adaxial: White            group (155D).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Numerous.        -   Pistils.—Numerous.        -   Pollen.—Normal, fertile, and abundant.        -   Flower diameter.—3.36 cm.        -   Flower depth.—1.97 cm.        -   Petal size.—Length 1.94 cm; width 1.98 cm.        -   Petal shape.—Overall: ovate; apex: rounded; margin: sinuate;            base: acuminate.        -   Petal texture.—Abaxial: no pubescence; adaxial; no            pubescence.        -   Average number flowers per cluster.—7.4.        -   Average number of petals per flower.—5.2.        -   Sepals.—Length 0.61 cm; width: 0.50 cm.        -   Sepals shape.—Overall: lanceolate; apex: acute; margin:            entire; base: truncate.        -   Sepals texture.—Abaxial: moderate-heavy pubescence; adaxial:            heavy pubescence.        -   Sepals color.—Abaxial: Green group (138B); adaxial: Green            group (138A).        -   Number of sepals per flower.—5.2.        -   Pedicle.—Length: 17.5 mm; color: Yellow-green group (146C);            texture: light pubescence.        -   Peduncle size.—Length: 3.53 cm; width: 0.14 cm.        -   Peduncle color.—Green group (137B).        -   Cyme type.—simple cyme; length: 53.3 mm.-   Primocane:    -   -   Date of bloom.—First bloom 18 June, and can extend until            frost depending on environment and cultural management.        -   Petal color.—Abaxial: White group (155D); adaxial: White            group (155D).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Numerous.        -   Pistils.—Numerous.        -   Pollen.—Fertile and abundant unless temperatures exceed            32° C. (90° F.) at which temperature can damage flowers and            anthers and pollen production can be reduced.        -   Flower diameter.—3.46 cm.        -   Petal size.—Length: 1.69 cm; width: 1.41 cm.        -   Petal shape.—Overall: obovate; apex: rounded; margin:            sinuate; base: acuminate.        -   Petal texture.—Abaxial: no pubescence; adaxial: no            pubescence.        -   Average number flowers per cluster.—11.        -   Average number of petals per flower.—5.        -   Sepals.—Length: 0.79 cm; width: 0.57 cm.        -   Sepals shape.—Overall: lanceolate; apex: aristate; margin:            entire; base: truncate.        -   Sepals texture.—Abaxial: light pubescence; adaxial: light            pubescence.        -   Sepals color.—Abaxial: Yellow-green group (144A); adaxial:            Green group (143C).        -   Number of sepals per flower.—5.        -   Pedicle length.—2.67 cm; color: Yellow-green group (146C);            texture: light pubescence.        -   Peduncle size.—Length: 2.37 cm; width: 0.13 cm.        -   Peduncle color.—Yellow-green group (146B).        -   Cyme type.—Elongated simple cyme; length: 17.25 cm.-   Fruit:-   Floricane:    -   -   Maturity.—Average first ripe date 3 June.        -   Size.—Large, 7.1 g average.        -   Diameter of fruit at primary position on            inflorescence.—Equator: 2.28 cm; base pole: 1.71 cm;            terminal pole: 1.30 cm.        -   Diameter of fruit at secondary positions on            inflorescence.—Equator: 2.06 cm; base pole: 1.65 cm;            terminal pole: 1.20 cm.        -   Length (primary fruit).—2.59 cm.        -   Length (secondary fruit).—2.11 cm.        -   Length (tertiary fruit).—2.23 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Color.—Black group (202A).        -   Drupelet size.—0.42 cm.        -   Drupelets per berry.—76.6.        -   Seed size.—Length: 2.66 mm; width: 1.63 mm.        -   Seed weight.—Wet: 3.2 mg; dry: 2.9 mg.        -   Seed color.—Wet: Grayed-red group (181A); dry: Grayed-orange            group (165B).        -   Soluble solids.—11.4%.        -   Ph.—3.3.        -   Acidity.—0.8% citric acid.        -   Processed quality.—Not evaluated for processing.        -   Uses.—For home garden or local fresh-market use not            requiring storage.-   Primocane:    -   -   Maturity.—First ripe fruit date 18 July on tipped primocanes            and can fruit until frost depending on environment and            cultural management.        -   Size.—Large, 9.2 g/berry.        -   Diameter of fruit at primary position on            inflorescence.—Equator: 2.33 cm; base pole: 2.24 cm;            terminal pole: 1.40 cm.        -   Diameter of fruit at secondary positions on            inflorescence.—Equator: 2.06 cm; base pole: 2.20 cm;            terminal pole: 1.29 cm.        -   Length (primary fruit).—3.36 cm.        -   Length (secondary fruit).—3.10 cm.        -   Length (tertiary fruit).—2.93 cm.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Color.—Black group (202A).        -   Drupelet size.—0.43 cm.        -   Drupelets per berry.—102.        -   Seed size.—Length: 2.94 mm; width: 1.69 mm.        -   Seed weight.—Wet: 6.8 mg; dry: 2.7 mg.        -   Seed color.—Wet: Grayed-red group (182A); dry: Grayed-orange            group (165C).        -   Soluble solids.—11.4%.        -   Ph.—3.6.        -   Acidity.—0.36-1.25% citric acid.        -   Processed quality.—Not evaluated for processing.        -   Uses.—For home garden or local fresh-market use not            requiring storage.-   The cultivar: The most distinctive features of the new cultivar are    large fruit with consistent size and sweet flavor, thornless canes    with consistently good plant health, and primocane-fruiting habit.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of blackberry plant named‘APF-205T’, substantially as illustrated and described.